Broadwoodwidger lies on a steep hill above the wooded valley of the River Wolf. From the churchyard of St Nicholas Church, the view extends to Dartmoor. Here, a distinctive village setting and a specific viewpoint meet village history and activities at Roadford Lake.

Church and History

The Church of St Nicholas is a Grade I listed building, first mentioned in 1257. The classification and date describe different aspects: Grade I denotes its listed status, while 1257 is the date of its first mention. This distinction helps place the church’s protection status apart from its historical record.

The more distant past is also tangible: archaeological excavations in Broadwoodwidger uncovered traces of prehistoric activity dating back to 2550 BC. The material was recorded during construction of the Roadford Reservoir. This places prehistoric traces and the church’s first mention side by side as distinct historical points in time.

The Broadwoodwidger Local History Group organises talks, outings and visits that are of interest to the group’s aims or its members. These activities complement the architectural and archaeological connections with a community-based form of local history work.

Roadford Lake: Kayaking, Fishing and Getting Around

Single and double kayaks can be hired at Roadford Lake. “Have a go” kayak sessions led by qualified watersports instructors are also available. When fishing for brown trout, you can choose between the shore and a boat. The options therefore vary by activity and format: kayak hire or a guided session, kayaking or fishing, and, for fishing, the shore or a boat.

The Roadford Lake Activity Centre is at Broadwoodwidger, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0JL. Public toilets are available at the main car park and in the Roadford Lake Cafe. If you are planning a specific kayak hire or session, check availability for your visit date in advance.

A Cycling Route with a Clear Distance

The 21-mile cycling route from Bridestowe to Roadford Reservoir runs mostly along quiet roads. It offers a different scale for planning than the individual water activities: for the cycling route, the focus is on the start, destination, distance and the fact that most of it follows quiet roads; at Roadford Lake, the choice is between kayaking and fishing. This lets you consider the different options separately when planning your trip.

Broadwoodwidger combines precise orientation in the landscape with historical themes, while the other options described raise their own questions: Which history interests you, which waterside activity might suit you, or would you like to assess a cycling route by its start and destination? These distinctions can help you choose the focus of your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Crediton, Ivybridge, Bishop's Tawton, Yarcombe, Woolacombe, Braunton, Southleigh, Rockbeare

For the broader travel overview: Devon.